Poland keen to enhance ties with Sarawak

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KUCHING: The Republic of Poland is ready to enhance bilateral ties with Malaysia, especially Sarawak, in various industries that will benefit both countries.

Polish Ambassador to Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines, Adam W Jelonek said their main interest in Sarawak would be in the area of public transportation where they were willing to share their expertise in green technology and environmental friendly bus service.

He said Poland transport system was one the best in Eastern Europe and he was confident that his country could help to modernise the public transport in Sarawak.

He continued, the other areas that Poland might have interest in were the intensive energy sector especially those involved in aluminium smelting, copper and coal industries.

This would be an opportunity for companies in Poland to invest in Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE).

“The other sector that Poland is interested in include the involvement of green technology, agriculture and tourism and petrochemical,” he added.

Adam, who was very impressed with the development in Sarawak, said the state was very special to Poland because Poland was the first Eastern Block country to open its consulate in East Malaysia and there was a ‘personal touch’ in terms of relationship by both countries.

Even though there were no companies venturing into both countries at the moment, Poland was attracted to invest in Malaysia because the country’s political and economic stability.

He hoped his visit would open up opportunities for companies here and Malaysia as a whole to venture into Poland.

“Our economy has a positive growth of two per cent in 2010 compared to big industrial nation in Europe like Germany where their economic growth is in negative 4 per cent.”

He added Poland was positive that it could build stronger bilateral ties with Malaysia as it could be the window of opportunities for Malaysian companies to enter the European market as the country would be the President of the European Union soon.

He also pointed out there were currently many Malaysian students studying medicine in Polish universities and he hoped the young people from Poland would reciprocate in Malaysia in other fields of education and profession.

Since both countries did know much about each other he suggested that there could be an exchange programme with the media fraternity in both countries.

He further disclosed that Poland is the major supplier of military hardware to the Malaysian Army and has a very good rapport with the Ministry of Defence.